Sign up to our mailing list for the latest Boat International & Events news.

Missing your newsletter?

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which came in to effect on the 25th May might mean that you’ve stopped receiving emails from us. To make sure you don’t miss out on any more emails from Boat International update your email preferences now.

My life in boats: Brian O'Sullivan, owner of 41 metre yacht Komokwa

15 April 2018 by Grace Trofa

From barefoot business deals and run-ins with cannibals, Brian O’Sullivan tells Grace Trofa how he is savouring every moment on board 41metre Komokwa.

My first boat was my father’s 15.5 metre former Canadian government fishery control boat, perfect for learning because it was almost indestructible. I learned to navigate by my wits, which has served me well. In 40 years of boating, I have never had an insurance claim. I’ve had a seven metre Tiara, a 13.7 metre Bayliner, 17.7 metre Hatteras and then a 22.5 metre Hatteras.

Brian O'Sullivan owns superyacht Komokwa

Chilling on a boat is not for me. I like to drive and I always take the helm for my shift. It’s almost Zen-like when you are at sea. On a clear night on the flybridge you can stare up at the stars, it’s beautiful.

I sold the American assets to my wind farm business, though I still have the business in Mexico. The sale allowed me to buy my 41 metre Horizon, Komokwa, for the sole purpose of doing a round the world trip. She was the smallest boat that could hold enough fuel, plus kids and friends. When I called my insurance company they said, “Nice boat Brian, who’s the captain?” I said, “Me,” and they wanted to see a captain’s license. So off I went to school in Ft Lauderdale.

O'Sullivan’s wind farm business allowed him to purchase Komokwa

Komokwa is the name in the Kwakiutl Indian culture of Vancouver for the god of all sea creatures, tides and currents and there were moments during the trip when I needed protection. I remember a native dance performance in Tonga that was so violent we were all scared for our safety; and hearing from our guide in the Marquesas that yes, cannibalism disappeared 100 years ago, but last year a guy did eat his neighbour; and having a shark get so close while we were scuba diving that we set off our Shark Shields.

Swimming with sharks is part of the adventure. Image courtesy of Willyam Bradberry/Shutterstock.

But the number one thing we discovered going around the world was the people who had the least were far and away the nicest and the happiest. I do have a wanderlust. I always look forward to coming home to Vancouver, but after a week I always think, where else can I go? I have a place in Puerto Vallarta and Barbados, but maybe I will go to Hawaii and I really want to do the Northwest Passage and the Coral Triangle, where apparently there is 20 times more sea life per square ocean foot than anywhere else.

The Northwest Passage and Coral Triangle are on the wish list. Image courtesy of Shutterstock.

A girlfriend once remarked that I was the only businessman she knew who closed large financing deals in flip flops in the Pacific Ocean on a satellite phone, but that’s what I do. I am 66; if not now, when?

This website uses cookies for analytics, marketing, advertising and functional purposes, in line with our privacy policy. To change your cookie settings or find out more, click here. If you continue browsing our website, you accept these cookies. Got it!